Kicking off the challenge with a local fave
Park #1
Date: January, 7th, 2024
Distance: 4.00 miles (hiking).
Weather: Sunny, a cool 60 degrees with a light breeze.
The first state park for the challenge was…Bastrop State Park! It is a nearby park for the hubby and me. I know the trails, I know the town, and I know my favorite spots to hang out. But, alas, an injury sidelined me from running, so I hiked some new-to-me routes. I would consider them too easy to run anyway. There is no elevation change or technical rocky sections, but easy was just my speed.
Tucked away a few minutes outside of the town of Bastrop, the park was once crowded with loblolly pines, so-called the “Lost Pines” because they seemed foreign to this region. A fire in 2011 burned a large portion of the park and towering trees. My hubby can recall the tall trees providing shade for roads and trails, but I did not visit the park before the fire. Even with a scorched forest, I still consider this park one of my favorites. A large number of pines can be viewed in different stages of growth. Also, when it rains in the area, the sandy soil that supports pine growth drains well, so I’m not running through mud.
After arrival, I wished my hubby a good run and started with the front country trails. These trails are paved and ideal for an easy walk, especially if you have a stroller or mobility issues. However, only a few of them are appropriate for wheelchair access. Some are steep (Trail Co.1805 especially). This section used to be a golf course, and the wide open spaces suggest as much. Shade is in short supply, so tackle this section in early morning or winter; otherwise, you will bake. Consider yourself warned.
Parking is easy here, and we parked our sturdy Ford in front of the bathrooms. The facilities have flush toilets, showers, air conditioning, and a children’s play area. There are benches to watch your children, and this area has a city park vibe.
I didn’t see an extensive array of wildlife that day, but I have previously seen a copperhead snake crossing the trail on two separate occasions. Those venomous danger noodles take their sweet time, and I’m not going to be the one to rush them in case they are in a bad mood. I saw them on one of the more popular trails in the park, Scenic Overlook trail, in the lower elevations near a water source. So, hikers need to watch the kiddos and pups. Don’t mess with copperheads, but remember it’s illegal to kill wildlife in state parks. They have a right to be there, too.
The park advertises Park Road 1C that connects Bastrop and Beuscher State Park as a 13-mile scenic drive. It’s narrow with steep inclines and descents. I’ve ridden my road bike on it many times, and it is seriously hilly. Not recommended for the casual cyclist in a fixed-gear beach cruiser or a family ride. For those kind of rides, the front country trails are the best option. But if you need a good old-fashioned hill-climbing butt-kicking session, Park Road 1C is the one.
We finished up our day at the Tough Cookie Bakery in Bastrop for coffee and a bite. Vegan biscuits and gravy filled our tummies. We’ve also had many of their baked treats for the ride home and we’ve yet to be disappointed. I consider myself lucky to live near this park.
